A Joshua Tree couple caring for their developmentally challenged adult sons were arrested Tuesday, Sept. 18, after San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies discovered the sons living in a home desecrated with human and rat feces; and with exposed wiring and holes in the walls.

The adult children, men ages 24 and 25, have been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and autism. The parents are their caregivers, a sheriff’s news release said.

Edward Zeppenfeldt, 55, and Melinda Zeppenfeldt, 48, were booked on suspicion of abuse of a dependent adult into West Valley Detention Center, where bail was set at $50,000.

Deputies went to the home in the 4000 block of Avenida Del Sol about 10:30 a.m. There was trash outside the house and inside on the floor, and even human feces on one of the bedroom walls, the release said.

“The condition of the residence was deplorable and posed a health risk to the dependent adults,” the release said.

Investigators ask that anyone with information on the case call 760-366-4175 or leave tips anonymously with We Tip at 800-782-7463.

The Zeppenfeldts are the second couple in the rural desert community to be accused this year of failing to provide adequate shelter for those in their care.

Mona Lisa Kirk, 51, and husband Daniel Panico, 73, have pleaded not guilty to three counts of willful cruelty to a child and three counts of failure to address truancy, all misdemeanors. Their children, ages 11, 13 and 14 at the time of the Feb. 28 arrests, were living in a plywood box on a trash-strewn property while dozens of cats and the children’s father lived in a trailer, authorities say.

Brian Rokos writes about public safety issues such as policing, criminal justice, scams, how law affects public safety, firefighting tactics and wildland fire danger. He has also covered the cities of San Bernardino, Corona, Norco, Lake Elsinore, Perris, Canyon Lake and Hemet. Before that he supervised reporters and worked as a copy editor. For some reason, he enjoys movies where the Earth is threatened with extinction.